Diving board with adjustable spring bias means



Jan. 9, 1968 K. DENSMORE 3,362,708

DIVING BOARD WITH ADJUSTABLE SPRING BIAS MEANS Filed Oct. 26, 1964 N VE N TOR. 02/?0 A. DE/VS/l IORE United States Patent 3,362,708 DIVING BOARD WITH ADJUSTABLE SPRING BIAS MEANS Ozro K. Densmore, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor of one-half to Harold J. Baer, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Oct. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 406,254 1 Claim. (Cl. 27266) This invention provides a simple and very compact structure giving the functions of a springboard. The space available around swimming pools is often at a premium, and the pools themselves are commonly of such limited size that it is undesirable to have a projection extending out over them. A unit embodying this invention will provide all of the functions of a springboard, and also a considerable amount of platform height without structural or anchoring complications. The unit is readily adjustable with respect to its degree of resilience, so that the stiffness can be arranged to suit the weight of the users of the device. This resilience is obtained through the use of a group of tension springs in the preferred form of the invention, which take over the function of the cantilever-type deflection of the usual springboard. The elimination of the cantilever deflection eliminates the need for long overhangs over the pool, and also for the solid mountings that must be used to counteract the bending moments and inertia of the springboard.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View from the front quarter of a tower incorporating this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective from the rear quarter of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on the plane 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the plane 44 of FIGURE 3.

The device shown in the drawing has a fixed frame including the vertical members -13 and the horizontal members 14-22. The vertical members 12 and 13 are extended at the top of the structure to form handrails 23 and 24. The vertical members It) and 11 have horizontal portions 25 and 26 at the top which are joined with the vertical members 12 and 13 to form a mounting for the fixed platform structure 27 on which the user of the device may stand preparatory to jumping on to the resiliently-mounted panel 28.

The panel 28 may be considered as part of a moving platform, and is provided with a pair of parallel arms 29 and 30. The sleeves 31 and 32 slide over these arms, respectively, and the relative telescoping position of these members can be secured by the set screws 33 and 34. The arms 29 and extend radially from the pivot member 35 which is rotatably mounted on the fulcrum 36 carried by the brackets 37 and 38. The fulcrum member 36 may either be in the form of a continuous rod or tube, or a pair of relatively short studs respectively secured to the brackets 37 and 38. In either case, the vertical movement of the panel 28 will induce a rotation of the entire platform assembly about the axis of the fulcrum 36.

Groups of springs 39 and 40 are shown on respectively opposite sides of the structure, and extend from members 41-42 on the frame portions 25 and 26 to the memhers 43-44 secured to the sleeves 29 and 30 of the platform. Adjustment of the position of the sleeves 31 and 32 to increase the distance from them to the fulcrum axis will have the effect of increasing the stiffness of the device.

It is often desirable to mount a structure of this type in cast concrete, and the arrangement of the components of the frame of the device lends itself very well to this type of installation. It is possible to drill four holes in the ground with an ordinary post-hole digger, locating these to receive the base flanges 45-48, and the framework can be placed with the lower extremities of the vertical members 1043 engaging these holes. In this position, the Weight of the device will be temporarily supported by the ground between the post holes on the cross members 14 and 21. Concrete can be poured into the holes without special provision being made for temporary support of the tower while the concrete is setting. If an existing concrete structure or surface is available, suitable fastenings can be run through the mounting flanges directly into the concrete as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

It is preferable to include a few provisions assuring the safety of the device, and one of these is the cleat 49 at the rear of the panel 28. The presence of this cleat will tend to prevent an accidental slipping of a persons foot to a position of entrapment within the frame. The normal movement of the portions 29 and 30 of the platform structure between the spaced vertical members 10 and 11, while very effective and compact structurally, requires that some attention be given to avoid injury which might result from accident. It is also preferable to cover the panel 28 and also the fixed platform 27, with some form of non-skid material.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A springboard device, comprising:

a frame including fulcrum means;

a pivot member rotatably mounted on said fulcrum means on a normally horizontal axis;

a movable platform structure including a panel, said structure being secured to said pivot member and including a spring terminal member mounted for adjustment toward and away from the axis of said fulcrum means; and

spring means interconnecting said frame and said spring terminal, said spring means being immovably connected to said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,812,180 11/1957 C. P. Cymbal 272-66 2,852,258 9/1958 Dunklee et a1 272-66 3,003,763 10/1961 Griflith et al. 27266 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner.

P. E. SHAPIRO, LOUIS J. BORASSO,

Asistant Examiners. 

1. A SPRINGBOARD DEVICE, COMPRISING: A FRAME INCLUDING A FULCRUM MEANS; A PIVOT MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FULCRUM MEANS ON A NORMALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS A MOVABLE PLATFORM STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PANEL, SAID STRUCTURE BEING SECURED TO SAID PIVOT MEMBER AND INCLUDING A SPRING TERMINAL MEMBER MOUNTED FOR ADJUSTMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE AXIS OF SAID FULCRUM MEANS; AND SPRING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID FRAME AND SAID SPRING TERMINAL, SAID SPRING MEANS BEING IMMOVABLY CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME. 